The longest overseas trip with 3 kids by far, 9 days 8 nights and I'm glad that we survived it and had a really enjoyable trip. We decided on Taiwan as our next holiday destination in October 2013. It was quite a last minute decision that we booked the air tickets in mid October and we flew into Taiwan a month later. We did not have time to do much homework prior to our trip, as Papa Bear and I were both very busy with our work. I only managed to read some info shared by members from Mummies Connect, a support group for mothers on Facebook, then contacted some private tour guides/drivers, booked through whatsapp, and it was then time for us to fly! The trip was not well planned and we just went according to the flow. We took it as a relaxing trip, spending 100% of our time with each other and our kids. The whole trip was a very relaxing one and definitely very kids-friendly, Taiwan itself is a very family-friendly country, so I hope our experiences will help you in your planning. :)
Here's our kids-friendly free and easy itinerary. I will be sharing more details of the whole trip in another blog entry.
Day 1: Taipei city tour which covered Ximending, Tian Hou Temple, National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine (國民革命忠烈祠), Shilin Guandi Park (士林官邸), National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院) and 101 Shopping Mall.
Read more of our Day 1 adventure here.
Changing of guard ceremony where the troop performed an impressive series of gun twirling and tossing.
Day 2: Yehliu (野柳), Jiufen (九份) and Shifen (十分). Yehliu is the Geopark (must go!), Jiufen is about shopping and street food. Shifen is the waterfall and releasing of make-a-wish Chinese lantern. It will be a whole day tour. We left Taipei at 8.30am and reached back Taipei hotel at 6.30pm.
Read more of our Day 2 adventure here.
The amazingly beautiful Yehliu Geopark.
Day 3: Taipei Zoo (attractions: panda, koala and penguin) and Mao Kong Gondola for night scenery, food and tasting of Chinese tea.
Read more of our Day 3 adventure here.
Hello Gorilla. He/she definitely enjoyed having our attention. Taipei Zoo was very well managed and we were happy to see all the active animals.
Day 4: Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) and Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village cum Amusement Park (九族文化村)
Read more of our Day 4 adventure here.
Sun Moon Lake, pic taken from the gondola.
Day 5: Cingjing Farm (清境農場) - chasing and feeding the sheep.
Read more of our Day 5 adventure here.
Sister Bear was feeding the sheep.
Day 6: Little Swiss Garden (小瑞士花園), Taichung, Fengjia night market.
Read more of our Day 6 adventure here.
The beautiful Little Swiss Garden at Cingjing.
Day 7: Flying Cow Ranch (飞牛牧场) and back to Taipei
Read more of our Day 7 adventure here.
Interacting with the cow at Flying Cow Ranch. LOL
Day 8: Wufenpu (五分埔) (shopping!) and Miramar (美麗華百樂園) (shopping, food and Eye of Taipei ferry wheel). We bought a lot of cooking ingredients from the supermarket at Miramar, such Taiwanese specialties of sacharjiang, marlak, etc...
Read more of our Day 8 adventure here.
Eye of Taipei Ferry Wheel at Miramar
Day 9: Depart to airport.
Baby Bear was sad to say goodbye.
If given a choice to do it again, I would give Taichung and Fengjia Night Market a miss, will depart from Cingjing to Flying Cow Ranch to stay a night there instead, as our kids love nature and animals so much. There are still many places and attractions which we have not covered, we will definitely go back to Taiwan again. Taiwan is a very beautiful country with lovely people and yummy street food!
| 
